Combined phage therapy and faecal microbiota transplantation to treat recurrent urinary tract infection: a case series
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Recurrent urinary tract infections are recalcitrant and difficult-to-treat bacterial infections that primarily affect women. Here we combine phage therapy with faecal microbiota transplantation to decolonize the urinary and intestinal reservoirs of patients with recurrent urinary tract infections. Three women received oral and intravesical phage therapy for 8 days, and two underwent subsequent faecal microbiota transplantation. Treatments were well tolerated, and although Escherichia coli was detected in follow-up samples, patients experienced none or fewer and less severe episodes of urinary tract infection 24 months post-treatment.
Source: Nature Microbiology
Authors: Shawna McCallin, Annika Y. Classen, Simone C. Lieberknecht-Jouy, Fatih Abdula, Sarah Dugas, Oliver Gross, Hendrik Koliwer-Brandl, Swenja Lassen, Jens Scheidegger, Matthew Dunne, Andre Kahles, Jonas Eigler, Fedja Farowski, Paul G. Higgins, Sonja Milek, Oksana Chemych, Jiemin Du, Martin J. Loessner, Thomas M. Kessler, Maria J. G. T. Vehreschild, Lorenz Leitner, Lena M. Biehl
Institutions: University of Zurich, Universitätsklinik Balgrist, European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Cologne, German Center for Infection Research, University Hospital Cologne, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital Frankfurt, ETH Zurich, Institute of Food, Nutrition, and Health, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University Hospital Zurich, Sumy State University, Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $12,690
Awards: Understanding (harmful) virus-host interactions by linking virology and bioinformatics, Understanding (harmful) virus-host interactions by linking virology and bioinformatics, Engineered bacteriophages as antibiotic alternatives for treating catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIphage)
OpenAlex ID: W7171874013